Electrical fence for across the outdoors perimeter of an present backyard fence. One which’s powered by a 12 volt battery, and saved charged with a photo voltaic panel trickle charger. Right here’s all of the elements and supplies that I selected for the mission, and the way I put in every thing.
First, why put an electrical fence across the perimeter of an present backyard fence? As a result of this specific backyard space is simply product of that plastic materials, and solely 3 toes tall. It surrounds quite a lot of raised backyard beds. Though It has saved curious critters out (thus far), I needed so as to add an extra layer of safety to assist be sure that a possible backyard critter thief could be fairly successfully deterred. So, an electrical fence.
My targets constructing this electrical fence across the backyard have been as follows.
- To maintain out animals ranging in dimension from that of a woodchuck, a rabbit or raccoons, to that of a bear or deer. A low wire, a mid wire, and a high wire.
- The electrical fence charger have to be battery powered, requiring no connection to house AC energy.
- The battery must be trickle charged with the suitable dimension photo voltaic panel charger.
- Electrical fence wire that’s simple to put in and work with.
My Decisions For Electrical Fence Charger, Wire, Photo voltaic Panel, and Equipment
The electrical fence charger is the guts of the system. So lets begin with that.
Battery Operated Electrical Fence Charger
I did my analysis earlier than selecting an electrical fence charger for the backyard. I figured that I didn’t want something actually highly effective (it’s not for a discipline perimeter). Due to this fact I hoped for a pleasant easy compact unit. I observed that there have been quite a lot of them – what I might name “multi functional” photo voltaic powered – battery operated – electrical fence chargers. In different phrases, stand-alone models with photo voltaic panel and battery in-built.
The issue was, lots of the evaluations solid doubt that this may carry out the best way I needed it to. There have been complaints about breaking down. Charging. Batteries not lasting.. That was discouraging.
So, despite the fact that the overall perimeter size of my 3 wire electrical fence would solely be about 500 toes, I ended up selecting a selected 5 mile rated DC battery powered (battery not included) electrical fence charger with a preferred model title. Was a 5 mile fence charger overkill for my wants? Possibly just a bit, LOL. Nonetheless now I’ve a high quality unit, and one that would cost a for much longer fence, if I ever want that sooner or later.
Zareba 5 Mile Fence Charger
Zareba EDC5M-Z
(amzn)
What a pleasant unit. Good evaluations, and simply what I used to be searching for in a stand-alone externally powered DC-battery unit. Although apparently designed for a 6 volt battery, Zareba says that it’s going to work on both a 6 volt or 12 volt battery. It’s spec’d output is 7.3 KV, 0.25 joules (presumably with a 6v battery), which is loads!
I’m utilizing a 12 volt battery, as a result of that’s what I had available. Once I measured it, the meter pegged at its most studying (9.9 KV). So I think {that a} 12v battery might double the output voltage – most likely sufficient for an elephant!
By the best way, no, these don’t hurt or kill animals. Excessive voltage, however low present. Form of like getting a static ‘carpet shock’ at house, however on steroids! A critical jolt although – don’t contact it!
I purchased a Fence (voltage) Tester to confirm issues afterwards… As I stated, it maxed out the meter!
ALLOSUN (EM555)
(amzn)
Photo voltaic Panel Charger For Electrical Fence Battery
Clearly, the electrical fence cost unit runs 24/7. I can hear it ‘pulse’ contained in the unit about each second or so. I couldn’t discover actual specs on battery drain, nonetheless I’m positive that it’s not a lot. It is going to principally run perpetually on a small ‘automotive’ battery with a photo voltaic panel trickle charger connected. I recommend utilizing a plastic battery field to guard your connections (example on amzn).
Proper now I’ve an EverStart U1P-7 ‘garden and backyard’ battery in there (from Walmart). Up to now I haven’t wanted to improve to a ‘automotive battery’ or deep cell. However I’ve it if I want it..
The next photograph exhibits the 12 volt battery within the battery field. The photo voltaic panel cable got here with connected battery clamps. The Zareba fence charger got here with a cable with pigtails, which I connected to a pair of spring clamps which I had (uxcell clamps).
What dimension photo voltaic panel to maintain the 12 volt battery charged up for an electrical fence unit akin to this? I made a decision upon a 20 watt panel with 3-stage ‘good charging’ and a built-in MPPT controller chip (which might make an enormous distinction for photo voltaic effectivity). Specs point out bulk cost approx. 1A, float 0.15A (at 13.8V). Seemingly loads of ‘juice’ for our utility.
My Solar Charger & Maintainer
(amzn)
Electrical Fence Wire
Zareba Polywire (200 meters)
(amzn)
I selected the Zareba Polywire. In addition they name it fence rope. Or polyrope. I’m glad I purchased this versus normal (stiffer) stable wire as a result of it was really easy to string alongside and work with for my backyard electrical fencing perimeter. It has 6 conductors wound inside it. Right here’s a more in-depth up image:
By the best way, these are the polyrope connectors that I used to attach every of the three strains over to the cost unit.
1/4-inch polyrope connector pack
(amzn)
I merely daisy-chained the person electrical fence strains to 1 feed which I related to the RED terminal on the cost unit.
A floor rod connection to the BLACK terminal is required for the electrical fence charger to work. They are saying in case you’re in dry soil, chances are you’ll want to attach a number of for efficient grounding. And lengthy rods in case you’re ready. I merely used two (2′) rebar rods. My soil is loads moist, my perimeter is small, and my soil tends to be rocky (unlikely to get a protracted floor rod down there!). Anyway, what I did, labored advantageous.
Electrical Fence Helps – Nook Posts and in-between
I put in a 4×4 put up at each nook for stable help. Having stable corners permits pulling the wire good and comfortable so it gained’t sag or droop in any respect. I hesitated utilizing T-posts on the corners, figuring that they could lean with the strain of the electrical fence wire. Looking back, this most likely would have labored properly sufficient with the polywire. However I over-engineered the corners 🙂
Right here’s an image of 1 nook put up with electrical fence screw-in insulators (for wooden) that I used for this:
After the nook posts have been set, I strung the electrical fence wire all the best way round to every aspect of the gate (which additionally had 4×4’s on every finish). I double looped the wire at every nook to get it good and comfortable as I labored my manner round.
Afterwards, alongside the taught wire line, I spaced out the plastic help posts (link) each 6 toes or so. With these posts, I didn’t need to buy separate insulators as a result of the wire notches are built-in, kind of much like that of a T-post. This made it simple to carry the polywire (it simply snaps in).
There are numerous help posts you can get for electrical fences. I solely wanted one thing light-weight and ok to simply maintain the wire, for the reason that nook posts have been taking all the strain.
Peak of Electrical Fence across the Backyard
Electrical Fence Posts (assortment on amzn)
The help posts that I bought are solely 30 inches tall. I had not realized that 6 inches of that was the spike finish that’s pushed underground. So the highest wire is barely 24 inches excessive. However that’s ok for a typical backyard for my part. Even when a deer edges as much as the fence, the legs are going to rub towards a wire.
Looking back, perhaps I might’ve sprung the additional $ for 48″ tall helps or thereabouts. However once more, I actually don’t assume it should matter. Bears and deer are nonetheless going to get ‘stung’ on what I’ve put up in the event that they attempt to get in.
The low wire. My foremost concern are the woodchucks, raccoons, rabbits and such. It’s the bottom electrified wire that I considered probably the most. And the way low to place it. You see, if it’s too low, and if grass, weeds, and many others.. develop up on the wire, it will begin shorting out the electrical fence to an extent. So I made a decision upon 6 inches. Moreover, I weed-wacked actually good across the fence line. And, ((gasp)) I used some RoundUp on the perimeter.
How far-off from the prevailing fence did I set up the electrical fence? I’d say about 8 inches, to make sure the plastic backyard fence materials (which is floppy in locations) wouldn’t intrude with the wire (although it’s plastic, so it wouldn’t brief out anyway).
In conclusion, an electrical fence on your backyard will assist present an excellent stage of safety to shedding your crop from nature’s critters. Although I’ve an even bigger backyard down again, I’ve established one other location (near the home) for my raised backyard beds). I began with just some, only for enjoyable. I appear to maintain including extra. Then I develop the perimeter fence to accommodate. Effectively this 12 months after including two extra, I made a decision that this little ‘enjoyable space’ for gardening most likely appears to be like more and more mighty tasty to our resident critters. Don’t wish to lose all that work of gardening to a harvest, so, up goes the electrical fence. Up to now, so good.
[ Read: Beets – One of Many Good Choices For A Survival Garden ]
[ Read: Filling The Bottom Of Deep Raised Garden Beds With Organics ]